(Sunset.  A figure sits alone in front of a grave, silent in her
mourning.  We can see nothing but her back; her face is covered.  The
leaves blow around her hauntingly and the traffic of life can be
heard around, but the woman pays it no attention.  She lights an
incense stick and places it in front of the grave.  

After a moment, we approach the figure to find it none other than
Ranma, though she looks older than the teenager of yore.  Physically,
the years have been kind to her; the child has matured into an
admirable specimen of womanhood.  There are other differences to this
character as well, notably in the eyes.  They have a sad, pleading-
yet-determined look to them, as though she is holding on to something
most dear inside of her.  She opens her mouth and starts to sing a
haunting tune, more a soft prayer than any song.)

Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you 
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance and spaces between us 
You have come to show you go on...

(She looks back to the cemetery's entrance, where two others, Nabiki
and Ukyou, stand watching.  She notes their concerned presence, then
turns back to the grave, continuing her song.)  

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart, 
And my heart will go on and on.  

(Our view goes into Ranma's eyes... and changes to scenes from the
past: Ranma's first encounter with Akane and their first fight,
Ranma's defense of Akane at the skating rink, his crying over her
fate after thinking she'd changed into a duck, his attempt to rescue
her from Pansuto Tarou's clutches.)

Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime,
And never let go 'till we're gone.

(The scenes change: Ranma's fighting against Herb at the Nekohanten,
the fierce expression the two share as he's packing, tender moments
between the two as they travel... and his last glimpse of Akane, as
they are engulfed in a white, burning light.)

Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to,
In my life we'll always go on.

(She looks around, and finds that her surroundings have changed.  All
that can be seen is a white fog... and an indistinct shape in the
mist.  The shape and Ranma approach each other slowly.)

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more, you open the door,
And you're here in my heart, 
And my heart will go on and on.

(The mists part way, to reveal the mystery figure to be none other
than Akane.  Dressed in a flowing white gown, she still looks
sixteen, with short blue-black hair framing a bone-china face.  She
makes no gestures of anger or malice; All that is in her eyes are
love touched by sadness.  She reaches an arm out to her onetime
fianc‚, and Ranma and Ranma moves toward her once more.  Ranma's
words come with more intensity now; she knows of no other way to
communicate.)

You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on

(The two are standing apart from each other, within reaching
distance.  Ranma reaches a hand up to Akane's face, to caress it
one more time.  Her other hand goes to Akane's other hand and holds
it solidly, not daring to disbelieve.)

We'll stay forever this way.
You are safe in my heart, 
And my heart will go on and on...

(The dream fades from view, and Ranma finds herself again in the
cemetery.  She takes a look at the hand that had so recently held
Akane's.  The tears start to come, and soon the only sounds left are
the gentle sobs of one left behind.)

************************************************

Nicholas Leifker
December 24, 1997